What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

This weekend only

A magician performing in front of a live audience, light illuminating from his hands as if from a candle.
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Melbourne Theatre of Magic

Step into an intimate space to watch world-class magicians perform the impossible.

Boxes of different types of mushrooms.
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Seasonal Bounty: Mushrooms

Learn how to transform surplus produce into deliciousness.

A Black man in a dark blue suit and tie, featured against an orange and yellow background, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression with the word 'HOLLYWOOD' faintly visible in the background.
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Retrograde

A witty interrogation of identity, power and integrity during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

A woman with a headset and portable microphone, standing in front of a lush garden.
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A League of Her Own: Women's History Walking Tour

A two-hour walking tour about the history of women in sport in Melbourne.

A heart shape formed out of Germany-coloured stripes, with the FIFA World Cup trophy inside it and four gold stars.
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World Cup at Hofbrauhaus

Watch every Germany game live at the FIFA World Cup.

Five ballet dancers in a group pose, all in different positions and dressed in vibrant, contrasting dancewear.
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The Australian Ballet: Copland Dance Episodes

Experience a stunning explosion of colour, fun and music in Justin Peck's Copland Dance Episodes.

Conductor Anja Bihlmaier wearing a black suit and sitting cross legged on a steel tabletop, a baton in her hand, her head tilted to one side.
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A Trip to Vienna

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra play a program that includes Strauss, Mozart and Bartók.

A scene from a movie where a person is being pointed at by a crowd of people in 1980s era formal attire.

Pandemonium at the Prom: Murder Mystery Dinner Experience

Unmask the killer across three courses of dinner and drama in an 80s prom night turned murder scene.

Singer Dami Im, wearing a decorative headpiece on the top of her head, and holding her long sparkly gloves up under her chin.
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Dami Im: Stormy Weather

Spend an intimate evening with multi-platinum and gold-certified artist Dami Im.

A Hawthorn AFL football player with clenched fists running on the football field and cheering, a blurred stadium crowd of fans in the background.

AFL Round 16: Hawthorn v GWS Giants

Friday night footy at the MCG sees Hawthorn play GWS Giants.

Two drag queens with big blonde hair and pink toned outfits, one looking blankly, the other surprised.

DesiQ 3.0

A queer desi drag and dance night.

A Carlton AFL football player running with the ball in a stadium during a footy match.

AFL Round 16: Carlton v West Coast Eagles

Carlton play West Coast Eagles on a Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.

Comedian Damian Callinan wearing a navy suit, shirt and tie, sitting in a row boat in a river, holding an oar in each hand.

One Night Only: Damian Callinan

See Damian Callinan perform and then be quizzed by comedy compere Simon Rogers.

A large crowd watching a wrestling match with two fighters in a ring.

Ballroom Brawl

Where that next generation of stars announces itself to the world.

A discarded Victorian blouse with long sleeves and a high collar, placed on a grey surface.

Meet the Makers Refashioners

An insightful conversation discussing how garments once deemed waste are redesigned.

Exterior of a shopfront and cultural centre, with signage and text on the window of services on offer.

Brazilian Cultural Centre Open Day

Victoria's first Brazilian Cultural Centre in Kensington hosts an open day.

Sassy restaurant sign illuminated against brickwork.

Dinner and Magic Italian Night

Authentic Italian cuisine with a live magic show from mind-bending magician, Alex Unexplainable.

A Collingwood AFL football player on the field with the ball during a match.

AFL Round 16: Collingwood v Richmond

Head to the MCG to watch long-time rivals Collingwood and Richmond battle it out.

Drawing of a hand holding a ping-pong bat with yellow ball.

Pongapalooza

A mini-festival of music, ping-pong, art and empanadas.

People playing social chess at a table in a pub.

Social Chess Meetup

Enjoy an evening of social chess at Brick Lane Brewery.

A North Melbourne AFL football player running and about to kick the ball during a match, a blurred stadium crowd in the background.

AFL Round 19: North Melbourne v Melbourne

North Melbourne and Melbourne go head-to-head at Marvel Stadium.

Regular weekend events

A nighttime photo of a path in a park, illuminated by vibrant orange, green, and pink light beams and strings creating an immersive light installation; part of Lightscape at Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Lightscape

Melbourne's favourite winter tradition Lightscape returns to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Two young adults observing a sculpture in a gallery space with digital and scupltural displays.
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EMERGENCE[Y]

An exhibition exploring how adaptation in a world of flux unfolds in every layer of life.

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
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The Vinyl Factory: Reverb

ACMI and RISING present The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

Private dining bubbles in a designed space with greenery and fairy lights.
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Fern’s Hidden Winter Garden

Enjoy a unique winter dining experience in a private botanical conservatory with sharing menus.

An exquisite Cartier diamond tiara, suspended against a black background.
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Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: CARTIER

Featuring nearly 400 extraordinary jewellery objects, alongside rare archival materials.

An outdoor alpine village pop-up event at Fed Square at night, featuring private wooden chalets, string lights, and a red carpet.
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Fondue Chalet

Melbourne’s much-loved winter dining experience returns to Fed Square.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.
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Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

A stand-up comedian talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
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Main Stage: Stand-Up Comedy

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

A large dinosaur model with its mouth open in a park setting.
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Dinos at the Zoo

Let your imagination run wild as you explore the trail of dinosaurs at Melbourne Zoo.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
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The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

A solar eclipse, with light emerging around the edges of the blacked-out sun.
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Solar Tours

Come and experience the wonders of the Sun at the historic Melbourne Observatory.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
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The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Three people standing for a selfie on the ground at the MCG.
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Sports Precinct Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
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Swinging 60s

This exhibition looks at what it was like to live in Victoria during the 1960s.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
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Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
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Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Running tour jogging along a Yarra pathway with towers in the background.
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Yarra Sunrise Running Tour

Run Melbourne’s parks, landmarks and Yarra River at sunrise on this 8km tour with coffee to finish.

A woman in a red coat and beanie enjoying the snow.
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Winter Wonderland

The winter wonderland fun returns to Skyline Melbourne.

Two three-tiered cake stands displaying sweet and savoury cheese treats on a white table.
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High Cheese

A refined three-tiered journey, reimagined through cheese.

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
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DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

Interior of a bar decorated with colourful lamps, small paintings hanging on the red walls, with small tables and chairs arranged in the space.
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Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour

Discover Melbourne's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.

A person pouring out a measure of Aperol into a metal measuring cup.
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Cocktail Making Class

Mix, shake and sip your way through the ultimate cocktail class in a hidden Melbourne bar.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
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Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of Melbourne's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
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Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

An early watercolour painting of Melbourne's Yarra River.
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Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

A concrete green water trough for horses to drink from, in a Melbourne city street.
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Footsteps Through Time: Melbourne's History Walk

Step into Melbourne’s past on this two-hour guided walking tour of laneways and hidden stories.

A close up of flower made from enamel craft
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Cloisonne Enamel Painting Workshop for Beginners

Create a unique drink coaster using the ancient cloisonné art.

Three people on a walking tour with a Fit City tour guide, two carrying a takeaway coffee.
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Laneways and Lattes Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways with coffee, street art, history and culture.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with trees in the background.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Diners seated at a table and eating from plates that have designs projected onto them from above, as part of an immersive visual art and food experience.
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7 Paintings Dining Experience

A dinner show that combines art, technology, and culinary delight into a unique experience.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Three coloured gin-based cocktails with platters of snacks.
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Gin-dulgent High Tea Experience

Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.

Man holding an old-fashioned lantern outside illuminated Flinders St Station at night, wearing a suit and cap.
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Hidden Melbourne: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery

Take a spine-chilling journey back in time to explore the rich paranormal realm of Old Melbourne.

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.
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Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

An Incan sun mask lying on greenery, part of the Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City virtual reality experience.
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Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

A 4D virtual reality experience that lets you explore the Incan citadel in the Peruvian Andes.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

A girl and a boy reaching their hands out to touch a glass wall water feature.
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School holidays

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities.

Female cast members from the musical Pride & Prejudice performing in Regency style costumes on a stage, all wearing yellow rubber gloves and singing into microphones they are holding.
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Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

The musical comedy sensation, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), premieres in Melbourne.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

An adult and child riding in an open bus, the child pointing at something.
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School Holiday Explorer Bus

Children ride for half-price on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.

See all events on this weekend

More to explore

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

A sunset concert at federation square

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
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What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.